Australia is one of, if not the most popular, countries for backpackers and road trippers who flee their hometowns, with the number of inbound visitors reaching 8.6 million by September 2025 (ATIA Travel Trends Report), with the hope of finding themselves and walking around the supermarket barefoot like a local.
And we don't think we could name a better country for a road trip. From the legendary Pacific Coast route to the iconic Red Centre Way that takes you through the heart of Australia, the routes are phenomenal. But as phenomenal as they are, if you follow a route like the more remote Red Centre Way, staying connected can be a worry.
Below, we'll give you the best ways to stay connected when travelling through remote areas of Australia.
The Internet in Australia
It's not necessarily the internet in Australia that's a problem. If you're in cities like New South Wales or Victoria, you won't have any issues with connection. In those cities or even just anywhere that isn't considered remote, stats show that mobile internet coverage in Australia, with major carriers Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone, covers over 98-99% of the population (ROI.com).
That said, approximately 75% of the landmass in Australia is considered "very remote," not even just remote, and connections in those areas are definitely spotty. Despite a 12% increase in regional internet access and ongoing infrastructure growth, 796 out of 1,505 remote Australian communities lack mobile access (RMIT University).
Get an eSIM with the Best Connection
Without a doubt, getting an eSIM that guarantees a fast and strong connection across as much of Australia as possible is the first step.
That said, no matter what provider you go with, there will be some remote areas of Australia without any signal, but in terms of widespread connectivity, the Holafly eSIM in Australia is one of the best. They operate under local networks Optus and Telstra, and both of those are renowned for having the better connection in remote areas, especially Optus.
And with an eSIM, you don't have to change anything about your standard SIM. You follow the download instructions, which will redirect you to your phone's network settings. There, you'll see something along the lines of "Add eSIM," and the download instructions, and your phone will take you through the process.
UHF Radio (For The Bush)
If you do follow the most quintessential Australian outback journey, the Red Centre Way, you will go through the Northern Territory's desert landscapes. The 1,000+ km route loops from Alice Springs to Uluru, Kata Tjuta, and Kings Canyon, and no matter how good your eSIM is, you won't have signal in some areas.
We would recommend looking for a car hire that has a UHF radio. It uses an ultra-high frequency range, and depending on the type of radio, you can communicate with people within an area of 5 to 8 km. Most people living and driving through those areas will have one.
Always Tell People Your Route
We know it's not necessarily a way to stay connected, but you should always tell people your route and regularly make contact with updates when you have a signal. If anything happens and you're off the grid for too long, people who know roughly where you might be can contact authorities if needed.
Always stay along a predefined route, preferably one of the more well-known routes, such as the Red Centre Way, which regularly passes through remote towns. Creating your own route is a bit more of a risk.
We're jealous of anyone reading this who is probably planning a road trip through Australia. The landscape is out of this world, and the freedom of travelling through the outback and truly disconnecting from the world is special. Just make sure you don't disconnect too much!
